Hawk? Eagle?-Falcon?-Can't find it in any bird book

by Debbie
(Wappingers Falls NY USA)

Hawk/Falcon/Eagle?

He/she has been in my front yard a few times. He likes to sit on my wishing well and watch the cars go by. (Go figure)If I go outside, of course he will fly away. But I was able to get this picture of him through my window. The picture was taken from about 50 to 60 feet away so the depth of field is pretty poor. You can see a wide gold ring around his neck and the very tip of his tail is white. I have a few hawks that come by my feeders looking for an easy meal -once in a great while they will get a mourning dove. (About once a month) but this bird is much bigger than any of the hawks I've seen...He also doesn't act like he's interested to catching any birds...he just likes watching the cars...Anyone know the name of this bird?

Thanks Debbie S.

Comments for Hawk? Eagle?-Falcon?-Can't find it in any bird book

In the picture, your bird looks like a Cooper's Hawk, although there is a small possibility of it being a Sharp-Shinned Hawk as they look similar. Both these hawks can range in color from blue to brown.